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Liverpool’s Future After Their Title Win | NFL Draft Chat: Shedeur, Hunter & Best Teams | What Next for the Grizzlies, Magic and Heat?
21 Plays30 days ago
In this week’s episode of Who’s Got The Ball? the lads discussed what the future holds for Liverpool after their title win, Cynan joined the lads to discuss the NFL draft, particularly Sanders sliding and the Hunter trade before picking which team drafted the best, and to finish up Shane and James talked about what they think the future holds for the Grizzlies, Magic and Heat.
Gan Seans continues with Shane leading 23-15 & there is an update on the WGTB Multi-Sport Power Rankings.
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Transcript
Introduction and Hangover Confession
00:00:09
Speaker
Alright lads, welcome back to Who's Got The Ball. Myself and Shane back for another episode once again. Shane looking very happy. What's the crack? Not a whole lot. This I think is my first ever hungover episode of Who's Got The Ball and I i think it's the most worthwhile hangover of my whole entire life.
00:00:27
Speaker
plus What a day yesterday was. Honestly, just what a day. You'll see on our posts some Shane's messages about Liverpool winning. Poor Mo Salah. Poor Mo Salah.
00:00:38
Speaker
I'm sure he'll read that for sure. Yeah, I'm sure he will, yeah.
Main Topic Introduction: Liverpool's League Win
00:00:42
Speaker
But that's going to be our main topic today. Or not our main topic, but our first topic and our soccer topic is going to be talking about Liverpool winning the league. But before we get into that, is there anything else over the weekend?
Weekend's Rugby and Hurling Recap
00:00:54
Speaker
I think there was a bit of hurling on, a bit rugby. There was a bit of everything, to be honest. but yeah i think this out too First time since 2015 that all four provinces lost on the same weekend.
00:01:06
Speaker
Wow, I didn't know that. Yeah, that was bit mad. Leinster trying to screw Munster over and losing on purpose this guy. That's by the looks of us. Just pension players for next week's big one.
00:01:18
Speaker
Exactly.
Controversial Red Card Discussion
00:01:19
Speaker
Other than that, no. Not really. The Hurlund was good, I suppose. It was a mixed bag. Yeah, the Tiff and Cork game was ruined in the first minutes. Yeah, it's just ridiculous. With the right card, like, oh, it's just so silly.
00:01:32
Speaker
I can't do that at this level. You can't do it, but the ref should also defute that situation instead of ruining the game, I think. Like, just chat to the fell la lads, because they're all at it, and I can't really see how... I know what he did was wrong, but I can't see how the ref can make a definitive decision or the assist for anyone from that distance. But the ball wasn't even thrown in yet, either, so it's technically not even part of play.
00:01:54
Speaker
yeah So I don't understand how it's going be a right character when there was nothing going on. life but Yeah, it just ruined the game anyway, so...
Liverpool's Season Recap
00:02:01
Speaker
Well, Carlo absolutely battered Kerry in the and Ireland. so happy yet Two wins now. Joe McDonough moving on to Kildare at home next week. so are Yeah, it'll be next week. so be like After this comes out, it'll be like eight days away. we okay If you're a wondering why I'm in like a nice pink room here, it's because I'm at home in my sister's room. If you're watching on YouTube, she has one of those makeup mirrors with the lights on it. So look at this quality light in that I'm after copying right here.
00:02:31
Speaker
But before we get into any makeup tutorials, I'll let you start away there
Liverpool's Squad Speculation
00:02:35
Speaker
with Liverpool. um Lead in while you unload, whatever you have to say, I'll let you go for as long as I want. I don't even know where to start with them. so but I was trying to think. I didn't really write too much notes. I was just saying to Derek, so I wanted to kind of just go off the heart, to be honest. But...
00:02:49
Speaker
What a season they had, all of them. The midfield yesterday was just the epitome of what they've been all season, just busy workmen like goals, assists, back on the score sheet, Cody Gakko scoring again. I just thought, yes, it was the best they played in months.
00:03:03
Speaker
And it was the one when they really needed it because imagine not beating Spurs at home. and having to drag on to an away game like Buzz I just think over the whole season there's many points now as they had at the end of last season 82 Arsenal now
Liverpool's Premier League Triumph
00:03:18
Speaker
can't get to 70 sorry Arsenal now can't get to 80 points Liverpool will hopefully finish it above 90 and I just think they've been incredible I think they're worthy winners I think February kind of kind of ruined them a bit because they six Premier League games in February and a couple of Calk games and it feels like the tiredness just caught up to them in February and they ended up went up out of all the Calks.
00:03:40
Speaker
Winning the Premier League at any stage, if it's on its own, if it's with the treble, it doesn't really matter. are you still You're still the champions of England and they are so worthy of being champions this year. Yeah, they were by far the best team in the league and I think I was impressed with them on like 97% games.
00:03:59
Speaker
There was a few hiccups there, like the cup final and the PSG first leg that I think those are only two games I've seen you get outplayed like There's other games where you might have only won 1-0 or it was close game, but you the other time. Yeah, there's another one. like there Even the Fulham game, they lost They felt in control for most of it, about 14 minutes, where yeah every single defender made a mistake. It was actually really impressive that all four of them made a mistake and led to three goals. Other than that, as you said, like they just haven't really been outplayed all season, bar those two games. I know they were two big ones, so but in the league, like no one really has looked like they were better than them.
00:04:37
Speaker
I don't think so. Not even though. The two games they've lost, like the first one at home with a smashing grab from Forest and They did it with serious goal and it was really good tactics from UNO that day to not stare Salanga and Hudson-Odoi and bring him on fresh to just run a Liverpool and batter him then.
00:04:53
Speaker
That's what they wanted to do against City at the weekend. Yeah, and working it didn't work at all. And then the Fulham game was just 14 minutes of madness and they couldn't claw back. Other that, they've just been pretty much impeccable throughout the whole season. like I just think they're just...
00:05:08
Speaker
They're just incredible. Like, when you look at this, they made no sign in the summer. Barfelley doesn't like. It's the same team that was there last year, and he's just kind of, like, redefined their roles, made them play slower, so not running out of speed at the end of games. And then yesterday was just... ah I just thought they were on real set to finish yesterday. I know they went 1-0 down, but even that was the only time that Spurs did Anthony in the whole game.
00:05:32
Speaker
Yeah, they were much more... You sure weren't worried. Like, there was no worry at any point yesterday. No. they were much like much more balanced across the season than they have been in previous years. Even the year you won it under Klopp, I thought that was obviously an unbelievable season, unbelievable performances, but like the the team is just so much more relaxed this time around.
00:05:54
Speaker
It seemed like like it didn't seem in doubt. There's times where you could doubt it other seasons when you're playing well because it's a bit erratic at times and Klopp might lose the head on this. There's no fear of that with Slott. He's just chilling on the sideline. It seems like all the players are so relaxed.
00:06:10
Speaker
like yeah I think yeah it's a good dynamic
Mo Salah's Record Pursuit
00:06:14
Speaker
there. It'd interesting now. Salah just needs two more goals or assists. to break the overall record, but that was obviously from the 42-game season. So yes he currently has 46 goals and assists this season. If he gets 48, that'll be a new record for any Premier League season, even back when those 42 games.
00:06:32
Speaker
but just It's so stupid what he's doing this season. like again he They were saying yesterday was he was 50 days without a goal. And he still has 28 goals and 18 assists across the season. And maybe 50 days without an open play goal. think it was a couple of penalties.
00:06:46
Speaker
right like you He's slowed down in the last couple of weeks. Obviously, Ramadan kind of it it it affects a lot of the Muslim players, to be fair. And then kind of coming back from that after. But... To still have 28 goals in 34 games and 18 assists on top of it is just ridiculous. And I really want him to break that assist record.
00:07:03
Speaker
I want him to stop scoring goals now and just get three assists in the next four games and just break that Henry record as well. Because if he breaks that record and the goal involvement record in the same season, then it's just remarkable what he's doing. He's going be one the best individual performance, Premier League performances ever in the season.
00:07:23
Speaker
But I suppose you have that him and Van Dyke tied down, as we talked about a couple of weeks ago. Yes. What do you think now for the summer?
Liverpool Transfer Rumors
00:07:30
Speaker
Who needs to be sold and what would you like to see come in? I kind of just did a five-in, five-out kind of thing. So it's not even that...
00:07:39
Speaker
who I want sold but who I think will go so I think Kelleher is going to go this summer he's been kind of bangling all season long for a move every international break he says he wants to play first team football so I think he'll go think Simicast will go finally because they're going to sign a left back and we'll get to that in a couple of minutes but I just I don't hate him I just strongly dislike him because he has no brain and he always looks tired He's probably the worst player that gets minutes free. you Yeah, 100%. He's definitely up there.
00:08:06
Speaker
I think if they can find a seller for joel i sorry a buyer for Joe Gomez, I think he'll finally go there somewhere. Not because I really like him. I think he's brilliant. He's another man who wants first-team football.
00:08:17
Speaker
He's 27 or 28 now, I think. So he probably wants to go and play somewhere. Yeah, he needs that. That's right. girls like he's not getting back to the England squad anyway probably but if he went to a Newcastle or a Palace or someone where he was playing week in week out like if he replaced Gaye at Palace this summer I think be a great move but his fitness issues are just a killer for him and the obvious haven't been maybe Eddie Howell will sort that out maybe he's pretty good with those things yeah the big one I want gone is the Ogre Jota Okay. Just he doesn't have the legs anymore. Yeah. Can't stay on Yeah. Can't stay on the pitch. Yeah. Can't stay the pitch. Yeah. Even when he's on the pitch now, he just looks leggy.
00:08:53
Speaker
and His finishing seems to have kind of diverting. I know he scored a good goal against everything a couple of weeks back, but like he missed his chances now a left right and center. He had a header last week, whoever we were playing.
00:09:04
Speaker
So was able to cross it and he just put a mile wide, free header in the middle of the box and things like that. Leicester. Yeah, Leicester. Yeah. And then Darren Nunez is obviously gone. He's pretty much set it himself at this stage that he's gone.
00:09:16
Speaker
Ideally for me, I want five in. So if Trent goes, I want five. i'm We'll talk about him in a second. so If he goes, I want Frimpong to replace him at right back. i is on Yeah, Kirk is in Hoisin, both from Bournemouth. I want the two of them.
00:09:31
Speaker
think they're absolute quality. And then the two really unrealistic ones, because we're not spending this kind of money, but if we could bring in Florian Versa to kind of back up to Sabadell or to play ahead of Sabadell. Like he's apparently, he wants out to somewhere and there's teams looking at him. So why not have Liverpool in the conversation? And then Jonathan Davis or, because he's on a free, over probably like, we're not getting Alex Ezek, I need to be honest with myself there, where he's not leaving Newcastle to get Champions League.
00:09:58
Speaker
I think if you're splashing the money on the likes of Verts, the likes of Frimpong, I actually just realized have two Bournemouth and two... Yeah, those are... I just realized that. But if you are going to splash 100 million on Verts, then getting a striker of Jonathan Davis quality on a free... Yeah, that makes sense, that one. Yeah, I think that would be a good move as a kind of... like did They will need a number nine if they hopefully sell the two of them.
00:10:20
Speaker
They might even need two number nines. And then obviously the keepers coming down already from Valencia, Mamre Dashvili, so dont need to worry about that. It's just, yeah I think it's a massive summer this summer. because it's It's one of those, we they have to build from position of strength this year.
00:10:35
Speaker
Because I know they just won the league, but it's one those where there's so many positions that look... It's so glaringly obvious that the positions need refreshing. yeah Even though they won the league, they're going to win the league by probably more than 10 points, but it's mad you can still look and say, okay, well, can get better in him, you can definitely get better than him, you can get better than him. And if they can get that right this summer, they they could go on a run of winning three leagues in six, three leagues in five. Who knows? by kiing But they need to get it right. Depends what they do, yeah. if they mess this up,
00:11:06
Speaker
or if they refuse to spend much money then because they've given big contracts out or whatever, then yeah, they could shoot themselves in the foot. Yeah, quick which I really hope they don't do because this is a massive opportunity. Like, City have a massive rebuild to do.
00:11:20
Speaker
Arsenal will obviously be back strong next year. I really do believe that if they can keep their players fit next year, they'll be in a better position. Yeah, I do think, though, that City will... have already brought in some players and they'll just throw out more money again. Yeah, 100%. They'll have no issue. um think Trent stays.
Trent Alexander-Arnold's Future Speculation
00:11:38
Speaker
Okay. I still think he stays. For Bitsio Romano, who I have often referred to as a spoofer, he has taken down pinned tweet that he's had of Trent for the last three or four months about him going to Madrid.
00:11:51
Speaker
It might just be he wants to put in the Matthias Cunha one because now he thinks that's more likely, is what I'm thinking, that he's kind of just trying to take the Trent Post out of O-line because it's not happening anymore. He looked so happy yesterday.
00:12:04
Speaker
Looked so happy yesterday. i don't know why you'd want to go and play with a team like Real Madrid. I don't even want to get into them, but they're just they think they're God's gift. like It's unreal. Show them things at referees. at referees. It's absolutely disgusting behaviour. And why anyone would go there?
00:12:22
Speaker
I tweeted that out and I just knew that I'd just get like two people coming back like instantly like within within a minute of the tweet going out being like, oh, like, you know, da they have their right to do that. but I was like, nobody has the right.
00:12:34
Speaker
to throw things at
Real Madrid Fan Criticism
00:12:35
Speaker
referee. like you kind of If you can't control your emotions, you shouldn't be out there. like Exactly. And especially when the referee it was having such a hard time going into it all over the Madrid TV b channel and stuff that he was trying so hard not to make any mistakes.
00:12:48
Speaker
And for them to go mad over a free kick that was an absolute dead surf free kick. No, that was not free. That was a dive. The hand in the face. ah Yeah, come on now. That's a normal football move. Your man gave the buskets.
00:13:02
Speaker
You're just being a little bit biased there. I will say that it was a bad decision, but it makes no impact on the game as a goal. It's a tiny decision. You can't be throwing stuff onto the pitch over that. Yeah, and he was very close hitting I hope he gets a good long 8-10 game ban now because he deserves it. And then he might finish the season without a trophy for the first time a long time, which would be great to see as well. Yeah.
00:13:27
Speaker
But let's see yeah what happens with Trent and Lyon to watch in the summer. Yeah, big time. i think I think that's everything i have covered. There's one thing that I was like, the only thing that I saw after this, like I was like, if you win the league, like you're going to celebrate. Fans are going to celebrate. like I'm not one to be like sour just because an opposing team won. like If they're the better team, that's just it. like and like Liverpool aren't worried about United right now.
00:13:54
Speaker
United are way off Liverpool, so it's not like that. But some For some reason, Jamie Carragher cannot like differentiate anything from Man United. The day after you win the title, he titles his article for the day, Move Over Sir Alex.
00:14:10
Speaker
like Oh yeah, I saw that, yeah. what Buddy, what are you talking about? like Sir Alex has 13 Premier League titles and Liverpool have two since the league started. like When it went into the Premier League. You can't be saying it to him. Okay, say...
00:14:24
Speaker
oh, Man United, you know, we're level now. Even then, why are you even saying that? like Why are you thinking about Man United enough to put it in the title? Just enjoy... what was won. Like, you have never won any league in your entire life.
00:14:37
Speaker
Let the lads who did win it win. And don't be bringing Man United into it because it's nothing got to do with them. Just allow the team to enjoy it. Yeah, I think it was to kind of do with Fergie saying that he was going to not loop off their perch.
00:14:49
Speaker
So I think it's kind of like push over on your perch. We're back up there again now. I know it is. Yeah, but that's, yeah. 13 to 0, Jordan. Yeah, but that's what it I think the thing was, it's like, oh, now we're back on our perch.
00:15:03
Speaker
so i just sit I just think there's no need for him. Yeah, as you said, just kind of celebrate it with the people who want us. And as you said, you United are completely irrelevant to us this year.
00:15:13
Speaker
14th at moment. Oh, one year, City would have dropped to 16th or something like that, I that didn happen But we got the point, and yeah I don't think so after that, after the point was gotten. Well, maybe the point was, yeah.
00:15:29
Speaker
you want to talk about that? Nah, it's just, United were better again, the same they were against Wolves. lot of chances, they just can't score. And that's just the biggest issue. So let's see, they need to sort it out in the summer.
00:15:40
Speaker
Matthias Cunha may be able to make some difference anyway, some player. Please, yeah, hopefully. I saw there was one ball, I don't know if you saw There's a beautiful ball over the top by Bruno and Garnaccio's 1-1. He tried to love keeper. It's too low. yes And then there's an identical chance that Cunha had earlier this season and he just buried it. So you're like, there you know, if we have someone like him, it might make a difference. Yeah, big time.
00:16:02
Speaker
But anyway, yeah, it was a good day for you all around. And yeah you've got your you've got your title. So anything else on that before we move on? Not about Liverpool, but just in... when We're on the football now. I'm as well doing now, but...
00:16:13
Speaker
just off the top your head, I want you to give me your player the season, your of the season, your underrated player year, your biggest disappointment of the year, and yeah, but let's go with those four.
00:16:25
Speaker
Okay, so first one is player of the year. That has to be Salah, like we just talked about. I don't need to give any yeah reason we went into it too too much, but yeah, it's obviously Salah.
00:16:37
Speaker
Manager of the year, it's really tough to be honest, but I'm going to give it to... This is on the spot now. There's a couple in my mind. I think I'm going to give it to... I don't know.
00:16:52
Speaker
I don't know. I don't know. I'm going to go with Forrest Manager. Nuno. Nuno. Yes. Nuno Espirito Santo.
00:17:04
Speaker
Has to be. Just from where they were last year to now, I think that big of a jump is like It's like you have to acknowledge that. And they did so well in the Cup as well. I know they got knocked out and I know it's not in the league. It's not associated. But I think, yeah, he has to get it.
00:17:18
Speaker
most um what is it Most underrated. most Most underrated and then biggest disappointment. So just most underrated, I think. I'm going to go with Jacob Murphy.
00:17:30
Speaker
He was just someone that nobody wanted to look at the start the season. They thought he was so poor and that he wouldn't be good enough to to play in this team. um Me included. I thought he would be rotation minutes. When I saw him playing in preseason, I was like, okay, you know, it's preseason, but it's interesting in the system they had set up. I thought yeah maybe, yeah, okay, he might be one for a fantasy then. He's on a cheap price.
00:17:49
Speaker
And now he's just blown up. And hes he's been really, really good. Really solid defensively as well. So he's an underrated guy.
Foden's Season Disappointment
00:17:57
Speaker
And then biggest disappointment uh where am I gonna go with there's a good few I could go with here I don't want to say it's a lanky because we already piled on him another day but he's one that springs to mind yeah there there are two that kind of stick out for me in this one Yeah, who do you have?
00:18:17
Speaker
Foden and Palmer, I think, have been apt to so underwhelming this year, the two of them. Yeah, but Palmer had a great half of the season. I'd probably go with Foden myself. I think Foden is probably, yeah, that's the best choice, I think.
00:18:30
Speaker
When we talked about him last week, that, you know, is he's not a youngster anymore, so they need to, you know, they need to put him under a bit more, you know, scrutiny here now and tell him, you know, he needs to start his game out. But yeah, Foden is probably a good choice for that.
00:18:43
Speaker
Mm-hmm. Those are tough when you're on the spot. Who do you have for the other three? have Salah, Slott and Kerkhez. I think Kerkhez, while he is getting a good bit of praise now, I think at the start of the year, no one was really looking at him.
00:18:57
Speaker
If you're signing a left-back from the Premier League, you're probably going to go with Norrie Anthony Robinson. But I think the way that Kerkhez has just come on the scene in the last three or four months and now he's been linked to all the top teams, I think he's an incredible talent.
00:19:14
Speaker
Yeah, no, it's hard to argue with that. That's a good pick. And Slott as well. Yeah, he's one of them. It's between, for me, I was thinking between him, Nuno, and Eddie Howe. But I had to go with, just for the jump, with Nuno. Yeah, sir.
00:19:26
Speaker
Yeah. But yeah, that's it. So let's, obviously, last week, big week for the NFL with the draft.
Draft Discussion Introduction
00:19:33
Speaker
So much stuff going on. So we've got Cunnan back on, so let's jump into that.
00:19:37
Speaker
So we've got Cunnan back once again. He's joined us again for a draft chat. yes He has so much takes to get off his chest right now. How are we going to? I'm good. Thank you very much. How are you? Thank you very much for having me back, by the way.
00:19:50
Speaker
Always a pleasure. Always a pleasure. they've got like so We're to hit two main topics from the draft. Obviously, we've got a lot of draft stuff to chat about over the next few weeks, but we're going to hit the Shador Sanders debacle, and then we're going to hit Travis Hunter, the big trade at the start of the night.
00:20:11
Speaker
the trade to get Hunter, and then we're going wrap up with um who had the best draft, which team we each think. So we'll start with Shador. What was your takeaway from that at the very start, Conor?
Shador Sanders' Draft Situation
00:20:22
Speaker
You know, I, well, crazy. that That's the first word first word I could think of too crazy.
00:20:30
Speaker
Like, after the first round, i just, I just didn't understand like what was going on. And then you see all these clips coming out of, Oh, you know, yeah. The horrid like team interview with X, Y, and Z, you know, it's like, it's short. Surely it can't be that bad.
00:20:47
Speaker
yeah And then the second round went and was like, Oh my God, it might've actually been that bad. Especially because like, like I was expecting the Steelers to pick him at 21, and then they didn't.
00:21:04
Speaker
And then the Giants of obviously came back into the first round. i was like, oh my God, is this it? And then we took Tyler sch Shuck, and i was like, right, that is like... That's a real sign.
00:21:17
Speaker
So our left field. And then Jalen Milrow went to the Seahawks. I know, I can't believe it. This is like a personal attack on him now. But I think, I can't remember where, i've I've just been listening to so many podcasts and seeing so many like radio shows about it.
00:21:34
Speaker
And a lot of them were like were saying, like you know dion Dion had this don't care attitude when he went into his draft. And then some people think like maybe that's kind of trickled down Shador and he's gone into these interviews or gone into draft being like, listen, you guys will be lucky to have me in a sense.
00:21:58
Speaker
Possibly, yeah. Because I know that i know that ah Dion said that or someone asked him like, oh you know if a team asks to draft him or a team wants to draft him and you don't like the situation, would you straight up refuse?
00:22:12
Speaker
And he was he but agreed. He was like, yeah, you know they're going to have to I have to pass on everything before he goes to the team. was like, why would you why would you take that baggage? Not only are you taking a kid who might be a little bit too a arrogant, but you're also taking Deion Sanders on on your back as well.
00:22:30
Speaker
Yeah. It's funny because there was a tweet from Deion, like, in 2018, I think he said about if the Browns came in to draft him as a quarterback, he would reject him.
00:22:40
Speaker
they yeah it It's in a case where when you're in the fifth round and nobody wants you, you're literally begging for somebody to take you. like The Browns already picked a quarterback.
00:22:52
Speaker
like it doesn't yeah I don't know if you're going to say, like okay, at that stage you want best player available. Well, if that's his level of like his fifth round talent level then why is he having a party today holding like louis vuitton bags full of money yeah saw that scott cd lamb kodak black all there like bro you went in the fifth round oh and can i just say what he's not i i've seen some of him some of his play he's not he's not a fifth round level like he's probably second or third round he's a backup but
00:23:26
Speaker
He's not going to get any better because like his dad has literally been calling everything for him the way he wants it his whole life. So how like he's at his peak pretty much right now because teams in the NFL aren't going to dial it up like that for him.
00:23:41
Speaker
And he will regress from the start, I think. What do you think, Shane? but I think the big one for me was definitely his father. That was literally written in capital letters. like The reason he dropped so far, I think, is because of the way his father has been going on and acting over the last couple of months. Since he decided he was going to the draft, Deion Sanders had just been a pain in everyone's neck, just non-stop for the last couple of months. And I think that is kind of...
00:24:05
Speaker
I think that's come back to bite him big time. I knew if he was going to be picked, when it got to that stage, it's going to be the Browns. They're the only team that literally have no idea what they're ever doing. and I knew they'd just pick the quarterbacks. They'll still pick him up.
00:24:18
Speaker
like They'll just bring him in and they'll just just leave him sit there if they have to. But I think... if If his talent level is what he thinks is, then they might have gotten the biggest steal of all time at the same time.
00:24:29
Speaker
He seems delusional. I know, but like if if he's as good as he thinks he is, then the Browns have gotten the biggest steal in draft history. like boss I just don't see it. There's a reason that people just have passed over him. And if if he was ah if he was that good, people would just to be like, oh, he he is this good. Let's just deal him with the father, deal with this, deal with his attitude. But he's clearly not as good.
00:24:52
Speaker
like keep keep He probably thought he was coming in to be a starter for someone. yeah And he's now third or fourth choice for the Browns at best. He could he could easily get cut after minicamp. yeah and Yeah, exactly. Because they can't take that many QBs then.
00:25:05
Speaker
no So it it depends between those two rookies who impresses the most. um And he might be out the door. Like, I know he, be at this rate, he might be, he might've been better off going back to college, but Sherlock, he can't even play for the Buffaloes because they retired his number.
00:25:19
Speaker
Yeah. You know, absolutely ridiculous. Like, and I don't think anyone has ever had their number retired there for going like marginally a winning record over your years there. no Yeah. Yeah.
00:25:30
Speaker
It's just the whole thing is bad. Like it's just an ego death for him, to be honest. Yeah. like ah That's another thing that probably fed into his, oh, look how good I am. My jersey was retired at my college. like You did nothing.
00:25:42
Speaker
You know, the the salt in the wound as well was that prank call that he had. Oh, that was rough. That was foul. That was just so foul. I felt bad on that. That was bad. Even you know, he might be, know, this arrogant player and, you know, all this baggage you've got him, is that's not fair on anyone.
00:26:00
Speaker
The guy, I've seen him from the other end, where he's like, oh yeah, this is Mickey Loomis with the Saints. We're going to be picking here. Yeah, i guess you'll have to wait a little bit longer. It's like,
00:26:12
Speaker
And then have you seen it was the Falcons? Yeah, Jeff Ulbricht's son. sorry That's so bad. So he got it off a team iPad, the number.
00:26:24
Speaker
Could it cost his dad his job? Yeah, he might do. Dad, integrity. like Wow. Wow. and That was awful. Yeah, that was bad. I did feel bad for him on that, to be honest.
00:26:36
Speaker
And I've seen, that I think it was Will Howard also was got like multiple prank calls throughout the draft or something. Yeah, I think there was a couple of things that a few guys had gotten. But obviously that's not as mainstream, so nobody cares about that. But yeah, yeah and even I'm just thinking, I don't know what's going to happen. It's just, this is going to be a mad season because everyone's going to be watching.
00:26:57
Speaker
Like the Browns, they just had the Sean Watsons. And you're just like, well done, guys. you know You've sorted yourselves out. You've done a good thing. You've traded back. You're going to pick your quarterback next year. Okay, you've got a developmental guy this year late on.
00:27:12
Speaker
Oh, no, fifth round. The owner is sitting there literally next to the two coaches. And they look like hey just they just look like, I don't know what, that someone just killed their dogs in front of them.
00:27:23
Speaker
yeah And they're just like... And you're like, it's so obvious that the owner stepped in and was just like, you have to pick this thing. It's a surely one of those things that's like, oh, like he he will sell his jerseys in the first year. It's probably what the owner was saying. Just no one we really need at this age in the fifth round. It's the Browns. They always need someone. But he's like, just pick him. He's talented. He's a mouthy. can talky.
00:27:46
Speaker
Yeah, and he's like... Just to get eyes on the team. Yeah, exactly. he end of it Yeah, 100%. He's like, like the this fella will sell jerseys for us. We'll bring him in and see what he see what he does for a year. Imagine what that other rookie is feeling as well. like I can't remember his name. Oh, my God. Exactly.
00:28:02
Speaker
hes He's thinking like, oh, my God. so much like i did Hand on heart, okay? I did not expect Dylan Gabriel to get picked above... half of the players that were picked. So seeing him and I was like, oh my God, you know maybe maybe I haven't watched enough Oregon film whatever. Like you said, Shane, I can't even imagine the two days that he's had or the difference in emotions. Yeah, 100%. Oh my God, I have the potential to actually back up or start wherever.
00:28:34
Speaker
then, oh, well, they just drafted Shadour. and but know And now he's like, on top of everything, I have to deal with this guy. And everyone's going to be putting me in this conversation. I can't deal with this guy. It's just painful. for like like good But like that he's going to be showing up on his first day like a normal rookie. And Shador's going to be rocking up.
00:28:54
Speaker
Full gear, entourage, bags full of money. And they're like, buddy, please. That's enough about him. He doesn't deserve any more of our time. Let's move on to the Travis Hunter trade.
00:29:06
Speaker
What was the first thoughts when this happened, Shane? I wasn't surprised.
Travis Hunter's Trade Debate
00:29:10
Speaker
I thought it was really aggressive, to be honest. I thought it was such an aggressive move, see what to do. And then I was looking and I don't think they gave up a whole lot to get it either. I don't know they gave up their first rounder for next year, but...
00:29:22
Speaker
Like, and he flied whatever you gave up to get him was probably never going to be enough in the eyes of a lot of people anyway, because he was clearly the best player in the draft. He could play both sides of the ball, and Jacksonville really, really needed someone like him.
00:29:34
Speaker
So the fact that they actually, they had the balls to go and do it, like, to actually go and trade up, I think was, it was ah really, really good. I think it great move for him, and what was it? It was a fourth round, a sixth round, and their first round predictions. Next year's first. year's first, and the second round there is a Yeah, like, it's not bad, like, and to get in the best player.
00:29:57
Speaker
I think it's too much. I think they gave it too much. i I was just about to say, I'm i'm completely up on the opposite side of that. Really? think the Browns fleeced them. Like, the Browns set themselves up so well, and the Jags still didn't pick a DT.
00:30:11
Speaker
They were in the perfect position to pick a DT, which is the biggest thing they need on their roster. And now they've just picked someone, and I actually have no... no faith that they're going to get this right because this is about coaching now because he's going to play two sides of the ball they've got a first time defensive play caller a first time db coach a first time head coach they are going to mess this up so badly and they're going to look ridiculous after it mark my words wow wow interesting wow i you know what i
00:30:42
Speaker
Maybe not that deep into it. Maybe I'm not that far against it. But i'm not I'm not as big on the Travis Hunter train as other people might be.
00:30:56
Speaker
I don't know. ah I don't know. It's weird. I didn't like his attitude when he said, I'm just not going to play football at all if I don't get to play both sides of the ball.
00:31:07
Speaker
Because the NFL is so much... The coach's choice. It's so much more different to college. Like you can get away with doing and saying stuff that in college and get away with playing because you're playing against, you know, like I can't think of the Colorado, ah the who they came up against last year, but it's not going to be anything like an NFL caliber team.
00:31:30
Speaker
You know, like eat let's, you know, playing playing against the Dolphins, if Jalen Ramsey's still there, you're telling me he's going go up against Jalen Ramsey as a wide receiver and then try and lock up Tyree Kill straight afterwards? Yeah. Like, stop...
00:31:47
Speaker
i Maybe, okay, i before the draft, i was like, yeah, i'm not that high on Travis Hunter as wide receiver. I watched film and then i was like, you know what? I actually favor him more as a wide receiver than in a corner, especially coming into the NFL.
00:32:02
Speaker
So I think he's going have more, he's going be more useful as a wide receiver, I think, especially with Liam Cohen. I think he he knows yeah he knows his stuff. I think that's what they'll use him as, to be honest, because they vowed to get Lawrence more weapons and you can't,
00:32:18
Speaker
go and use your second overall pick and in a massive trade and then play him majority cornerback. i had you know he's he's He's there aid Lawrence. but yeah I still do think he has the the highest level of talent maybe be between him, Abdul-Carter and Jenty going into the draft.
00:32:36
Speaker
But it's all about the team. like If a another team traded up to do this that I trusted, what any level of teams, but the Jags just aren't one of those teams.
00:32:47
Speaker
And it's the first time for so many guys, like your man Gladstone was literally reading out an Oscar winning speech after he got him. like Can we just relax, please? Because you're just putting way too much pressure on this.
00:32:58
Speaker
You gave up so much. I would be playing it back. I would be like, yeah, we'll see, you know, let's see how it goes. We're confident in this guy. The guy is like basically writing his whole life dedication to this move. And you're like, it's too early for that.
00:33:12
Speaker
but do do Do you think he'd have still been there five if they didn't trade off for No, he wouldn't have. but i don't think I don't think they should have given up. like The Browns would have picked him. I don't think they should have given up what they gave up.
00:33:24
Speaker
I think they should have just stuck in five and picked Mason Graham. It makes way more sense for what they need for now and in the future. I was dead set on. I thought Mason Graham was definitely going there. I've seen like videos of him practicing in Jaguars facilities.
00:33:39
Speaker
like facilities I was like, i well, he's definitely going. yeah When I saw that they traded up, was like, I can't believe it. That was nuts.
00:33:50
Speaker
That was nuts. and Time will tell as well because if it is another bad season for them, the Browns will have an absolute haul next year because they're going to be awful this year. and Then they have the Jags first rounder.
00:34:01
Speaker
So yeah it's a nice situation for the Browns. I think they did well here, despite us poking fun at them about what they did with Chido. I think they still did have a good draft. i And I think, yeah, I think it's a very risky move for the Jags to do what they did. It really has to work, and it has to work quickly.
00:34:19
Speaker
And the biggest issue with that that defense was DT, and they didn't fill that hole in the whole draft. So I'm really, yeah, bit concerned about them having done that. So... that's That's my thoughts on that. if If we want to move on then so we don't get too bogged in and that, we'll just will get on to who we thought had the best drafts then.
00:34:37
Speaker
We'll go through one each. So we'll throw it to you first, Conan,
Patriots' Draft Strategy Highlight
00:34:42
Speaker
since you're our guest. Who have you got? Before I jumped on, I was like, okay, let me just remind myself because I had like some in my mind.
00:34:52
Speaker
ah It only made it worse can because now the list is longer. so We're going to hold it to one. Oh, God, to one.
00:35:03
Speaker
okay I'll Okay, though... okay even though Contrary to popular belief, I actually think the Saints had a good draft, okay but I'm not going to talk about them.
00:35:16
Speaker
I think they had really good draft. I want to talk about the Patriots. that I think they absolutely bossed the draft this year. Like, yes crazy good.
00:35:28
Speaker
Not only because I keep seeing Will Campbell edit after that snippet he did of, I'm going to fight and die for this team. Yeah. so crazy. That was so good.
00:35:39
Speaker
yeah him You got him a four. You got Travion Henderson in the second round. That was so good. Favourite running backs out of the college. Unbelievable. Kyle Williams then. why that was That was so good. Sorry to cut a question, but that pick was so good. How was he there?
00:35:57
Speaker
what I mean. Like, he was a crazy good player. Crazy good. And they managed to pick him up in the third round. And then you've got Jared Wilson from Georgia, the centre, bolstering the offensive line even more.
00:36:10
Speaker
I'm trying to look through all this. You've got Joshua Farmer as well. It's unbelievable. app God, it was just such a really really good draft. And i think it's a real, like...
00:36:22
Speaker
you know a real statement saying, like listen, we're all in on Drake May. We're we're looking after him. We're getting him all the weapons we can. Stefan Diggs is there as well. I keep forgetting they have Stefan. actually forgot that as well, that he was after Bond there. Even though Ramondre Stevenson had a down year.
00:36:41
Speaker
think him and Henderson will have I like that backfield. prayer and Yeah. I know. yeah but So ah' out of the long list I have, I'll give it to the Patriots. They they had a really good draft, I think.
00:36:58
Speaker
Nice one. Let's throw to you, Shane. Who have you got? um I'm going to go with the Browns. No, I'm only joking. I thought you were actually going to do it. No, absolutely not. I've gone with the Cardinals. and I think what the Cardinals did was really, really intelligent.
00:37:14
Speaker
um They exclusively drafted defensive players because their offense is pretty decent. I don't think they need it too much. They have Conor there for another year. The wide receiver, they're really decent. But Kyler Murray just needed a lot more protection than he got last year.
00:37:28
Speaker
And they brought in a cornerback, an edge, a linebacker, another a cornerback, a guard and a safety. like theyre pretty much don They pretty much just filled the every single hole they had available in in their defense. And Even if they don't all start from the very beginning, they have really good options coming in. Like, you man, Will Johnson out of Michigan, and who they got the second round.
00:37:48
Speaker
Yeah, that's such a good pick. And he's fast. And then, even in the fifth round, they got Denzel Burke. He was another cornerback. He was also really decent out of Ohio State.
00:38:01
Speaker
i just say yeah i i i I think they just did a really, really good job in this shaft. if If Will Johnson stays healthy throughout the year, yeah that could be one of the steals of the draft.
00:38:14
Speaker
Because I had him as like the the best corner coming out college. He probably was the best. But his injuries and stuff, he's just nuts.
00:38:25
Speaker
So if he stays healthy, then that's like that's a crazy pick up. I think his pick and also the Cowboys pick and Ravel, those were two really good cornerback picks as they both took a risk if you think about it injury wise but I think especially in the Cowboys sense like if you're the owner and the GM you're not going fire yourself over picking a guy who's prone to injury so he's sorted a little bit more risky for the Cards but I think still could work out brilliantly for them yeah like that one I'm going to give out mine so
00:38:57
Speaker
There's a mixture of bias. And also, I just think they did so well here. The Giants did so well. like and ah Last year, I thought the Giants did well.
00:39:11
Speaker
And if their their rookie class was really, really good. And this time around, I just think they couldn't have done any better. like They picked probably, arguably, the best talent. And they got him third overall, Abdul Carter.
00:39:24
Speaker
Just to set that tone on um ah and a place where Artie Strang at. Trade it back up for Jackson Dart. My opinion isn't going to be fully formed on him yet, but look, if they wanted to take that chance, I don't think they gave up a whole lot.
00:39:37
Speaker
Two third rounders, and then we moved up to the first from the second. like Considering what the Falcons gave up a pick later, they gave up Axios first. They completely made a mess of it. That's totally different conversation. The Falcons have really shot themselves there. That is just fun. I couldn't believe it.
00:39:54
Speaker
no No, no, no. That was yeah that was just outrageously bad. So considering that, I thought that was good. Let's see what happens with Dart. If Dayball is the quarterback whisperer that he's supposed to be, let's see what he does. He finally has his quarterback.
00:40:08
Speaker
Then from there, I just think it gets so good. like Getting Darius to Alexander, I thought that was so smart. Going back to Toledo right after Quinn Young-Mitchell came out there is the first, I think the first time the Giants...
00:40:20
Speaker
picked from a school at that level in I don't know how long. I think they've only done it like twice in the last however many years. So I thought they did a really smart thing there because Dexter Lawrence needed somebody beside him. And I think this is the perfect guy. I've liked everything I've seen. I've liked his interviews.
00:40:36
Speaker
Cam Scadabo then, that I don't know how he lasted till the fourth rounder. He's like a wrecking ball. Exactly what you needed next to Tyrone Tracy. And then if that wasn't good enough, I thought Marcus and Boe,
00:40:48
Speaker
I thought he was going to go in the fourth. I thought we should have went with him in the fourth round. And he's still there in the fifth because of people not sure about his position. But he can play guard or tackle. We need both.
00:40:58
Speaker
Perfect. And then the last but the last two positions, like I don't know a whole lot about Fidon or Corey Black. and But those are positions of need for us. So we went for the positions that we literally needed. And there was one thing I did see about and Thomas Fidon, the tight end out of Nebraska.
00:41:17
Speaker
that when they coming out of high school, he was the number two number one or two ranked prospect in the country above Brock Bowers, but he had two ACL injuries. So let's see if that talent then translates because we went with everything we needed.
00:41:32
Speaker
Yeah, I'm just over the moon. i I couldn't have gotten better for me. that's that's honestly, that's my opinion, but it's also like a little bit of bias there, but I actually do think, I said before we started to Shane, I thought that,
00:41:46
Speaker
you would go for either the Seahawks or the Patriots because I thought, apart from them and the Giants, they were the best. the The Seahawks up there as well. On this list, I had the Panthers.
00:41:57
Speaker
I had the Browns there. Seahawks, the Cardinals are there. the like the Cowboys too. the See, the Cowboys were another one. I think people are saying that they went too high on Booker, which I don't i don't get, but...
00:42:11
Speaker
but No, I don't think so. but Besides the point. Chiefs were another good one. Patriots, obviously. Titans were, they had a really good draft as well. And they picked it up ah Restrepo from draft the free agent. so I like that.
00:42:28
Speaker
That is really good. Giants have just done that as well with the Ole Miss wide receiver. Yeah. Name's gone off the top of my head, but I like that pair in your rookie QB with someone they're familiar with for um camp.
00:42:41
Speaker
Sorry, Shane, go ahead. Just the one to compare to me was, why can't the City and Philadelphia swap positions for a fifth rounder? Were Philadelphia that just going to take Humana and Spiegel?
00:42:53
Speaker
No, I think Philly, they said, I heard the consensus with that was that the one position they didn't need was linebacker, unless... Jihad Campbell was somehow still there and then I think they were trying to trade up before that and they couldn't get up the board teams weren't taking it and then the Chiefs were like yeah that's kind of like we'll swap up with you but um because they're sorted there but I had Jihad Campbell go on top 10 when we did our mock he's so good how does Howie always fall into this Don't get me started. i That's who I... Kellen Banks, good player, happy he's there.
00:43:28
Speaker
But I wanted them to pick Jahad Campbell to learn off of Demario Davis because he's already ah a monster. And to to be in that system, and know Brandon Staley would have loved him as well.
00:43:40
Speaker
But I can't be angry at Danny Stutzman. yeah i I like him. He was my he my top five linebackers coming out of college. So I like him as well. Yeah, I think he still did a good job there, but how they got him was...
00:43:53
Speaker
Oh, it's the same with the Eagles. They did well as well. but Yeah. And then I saw do there's a safety out of Toledo as well, Max and Hook. And I saw a lot of good stuff from him.
00:44:04
Speaker
And I really wanted the Giants to pick him up. and And then I just looked at the undrafted free agency. And of course, the Eagles got him. And they already had Quinion Mitchell there.
00:44:14
Speaker
So these two guys have played with each other. he was so good for them. I saw so much highlights of him. It's just really, really annoying to see how good they do. but Yeah, I think a lot of teams did well this year because it's one of those drafts where, you know, there was a lot of good options.
Jets' Underwhelming Draft Performance
00:44:29
Speaker
How do you think the Jets did, Shane, by the way? um I was only saying this, James asked me this as well after day two, and I always just find this underwhelming. like they They never do anything that kind of makes you jump out of your seat and gets you really excited. like I think fight they got in the second round will be grand. His college numbers weren't exactly... so it's like I wanted him to ah draft man in the first round. What was his name again?
00:44:58
Speaker
um Tyler Warren I wanted him to draft Tyler Warren oh yeah of course yeah because we like we've never had Kelsey or a Brock Bowers or anything like that all our tight ends are just there for blocking and I feel like this fella is just going to end up being a blocking TM tight end as well but like I think the first their first pick was brilliant I was happy with that one but after that then it was just kind of underwhelming really I really like your pick of um I don't know how to pronounce his first name, Azaria Thomas. Azaria, yeah, because I wanted the Giants to pick him. I actually tweeted that out when our we were on the clock for that third rounder. Now I'm happy we went with Alexander, but I honestly thought we were going to go corner because we do need that.
00:45:40
Speaker
And I was like, if we're going to go corner, go with him. And then the Jets picked him up like maybe 10 picks later. So I was like, that is a really nice pick up. Yes, yeah so like we yeah but so we we did need a corner, so I am glad that they picked up one that you both think is good because I didn't really know much about them, to be perfectly honest. But like but in general, like my my college football knowledge is i have enough sports going on. I don't have time to try and fit in college football here as well so it was kind of like I was going in a bit blind to be perfectly honest probably knew more this year than I've ever known before because obviously from doing this and listening to other people but there was no pick that just kind of made me jump up and down with excitement really and that was all I wanted but it didn't get us maybe next year yeah I think Membu was smart though so so yes let's give them a bit of props for that one I think you're going this bit of smart route I think you have a solid O-line now finally
00:46:32
Speaker
so And if you're going to go double backs, like if you're going to split the load next year between Alan and Brees Leighton, then, you know, it'll work. and But yeah, that's that's pretty much all we've got.
00:46:46
Speaker
I think we've hit on a good few topics there, but we'll jump into more draft stuff over the weeks and I'm sure we'll get Cunhan back on again plenty of times but really appreciate you coming on again man and it's always a pleasure and we'll tag you and you know add all your stuff as usual to the the description but yeah thanks lads nice one oh thank you very much thank you right lads we held off a little bit on gun chance because obviously we're recording on monday so we waited until thursday and we said we'd get some and nba odds in there so we've got some and nba odds now and a bit more of a picture of the Premier League games. So think we we got two zeros again last week, which yeah only means one. Shane is gearing up for a five-pointer here.
00:47:25
Speaker
But let's get your ones first, Shane. have you done, Matt, this week? um So i've gone for a two Premier League and one basketball. So I'll give you the basketball first. and It's probably one you'll guess. I'm going to back the boys to go to Cali and come away with a victory.
00:47:40
Speaker
The Rockets are they The Warriors are 4-9. I think in general, 17-10 is a great price for a game that a team needs to win.
00:47:51
Speaker
And yeah I think it's worth fiver. If I was a betting man and not just a gone-chance man, I'd be sticking a fiver on on bus. I think they're definitely worth looking at anyway. And then in the Premier League, I've gone bold. I've gone tomorrow for Wolves to beat City.
00:48:04
Speaker
Wolves are 15-2, City are Wolves are six six wins in a row and they just look really, really good. City still look a bit kind of up and down and bit wibbly-wobbly. So you never know if Wolves can kind of keep to keep the pace they're going at. City might be able to hand on the likes of Cunha, Larson and Gray 4 now as well. So I don't see why not.
00:48:23
Speaker
And the last one, I think Arsenal are going to be looking firmly at that PSG game now that they detect the title is over. um Bournemouth are 12-5 to beat Arsenal who are evens. I think it's another great bet. I know it's a win, but I just think i think it's definitely worth looking at as well if you're looking for something to throw into internal an all-accumulator for yourself.
00:48:43
Speaker
Yeah, I think that has a good price on Bournemouth, especially, yeah like you said, Arsenal will definitely rest players as well in that game. They probably won't even bring a strong bench either. No, it wouldn't do so.
00:48:54
Speaker
I didn't go for the Arsenal one, but I actually went with the Rockets too. Oh. I just ah just saw, like, in terms of actually winning the series, I was on the Warriors heavily, and I do think they will win the series, but I just think...
00:49:10
Speaker
It's kind of a lot of unknowns right now because with Jimmy, he still doesn't look fully okay. And then there was the thing about Steph's hand being all swollen after the last game. So when there's that many question marks, I think it is worth a bet on a team who are, you know, they finished higher than them this season and they just won the last game quite comfortably.
00:49:28
Speaker
So they will be riding high. So I think, yeah, it's worth, it's worth going for them for this week. I think they're the best bet in the NBA going into the weekend. um of all the underdogs. And then I've also gone for Wolves, the same as you, to beat City.
00:49:41
Speaker
I just think that that run has been so good. so yeah So we're pretty tight up there, but I'll be hoping that this one can differentiate the two of us. I've gone for United to beat Brentford away. So United are Brentford are 3-5 favourites at home.
00:49:56
Speaker
which is crazy but yeah similar to last weekend that one ended in a draw united were fighting to win that game until the end despite the europa league game which is halftime at the minute united are three nil up so i'm gonna ride the wave um we'll talk about that one next week i'm gonna ride the wave for now and go united so those are my three so let's see how we get on all right lads let's jump into our nba stuff so We're recording on a Monday, so this is coming out on Friday.
00:50:23
Speaker
We're going talk about the three teams which are pretty much ultimately eliminated. Well, Grizzlies are already eliminated. The Heat are 3-0 down. The fourth game for us tonight, it'll probably be 4-0. And then the Magic did get one win against the Celtics.
00:50:37
Speaker
They could have had a couple, and but ultimately the Celtics will win that one. So we're going to focus on those three teams and talk about like what's next for them. and and what's going to happen. So we'll start with the Grizzlies. you want to lay off what do you think?
00:50:52
Speaker
I think... I thought they were going to be better than they've shown in this series against OKC. We said at the start that we didn't think they were going to win it and... they They were never going to beat OKC, but the 4-0, giving up a 26-point lead in one of the matches, not even showing up to the first two, really, like losing by 50-odds.
00:51:12
Speaker
I think they've been really, really disappointing, and their future is very up in the air at the moment now because... their franchise player isn't franchise playing really. Jammerant is not really doing it for him. Do they trade him off and kind of build around Jackson Jr.? Do they build around Bain?
00:51:28
Speaker
Where do they go? like therere just Do they stick with Jammerant and kind of try and build around him? bo He's so much money as well. You're not getting another superstar in there. like I think they're in real bother.
00:51:40
Speaker
like yeah They actually had a good record. like They were 48-34 in the season. yeah And then to go in and play like they did yeah for pretty much every single quarter, bare the first half there in the last game, where they were 26 points up, like they just haven't shown up in the series at all. and all I thought in game four, but they were quite good, but that's when the pressure is off. And I think OKC were kind of winding down a bit.
00:52:07
Speaker
And honestly, I thought they played better that game. like I know they had Ja the first game. And they had the big lead and they threw it away. But then these are the games at home. And then the second game at home, they played quite better. Like the crowd got behind them. But the real issue I saw was when there were like two points down in the fourth, Jackson Jr. was like trying to rally the team.
00:52:27
Speaker
And he was like, pulled everybody together. He was like, right, let's go. You know, we're going to blow whatever he's calling out. And then he had his arm on Vince Williams. and'm Vince Williams Jr. and he just literally like pushed his handle pushed his hand off yeah and like walked away.
00:52:39
Speaker
And then you're like, that team spirit is in the absolute gutter if that's happening because he's your best player this season. And then Jackson Jr. was just like, alright, fine. like And then that's it. so that like This is a moment. like the guys where Some of those guys obviously then are obviously checked out and they're like, nah, this is over. they didn't even want to put in that effort for the last yeah game because they could have actually won that game. They were so close.
00:53:02
Speaker
And In my opinion, I just think Jackson Jr. is the guy to build around. I think they need to get what they can for Jad this year. Yeah, just get him gone. Yeah, if there's another season of injuries or controversy and he misses a load of games again, then his value is going to keep going down.
00:53:17
Speaker
So he just can't stay on the court. I think give your man Thomas Yaslo a year with Jackson Jr. as the main guy, build in around him, keep being... Keep some of these other guys and try and get what you can in for Ja and build for the following year after this.
00:53:32
Speaker
If it doesn't work with him, get in a new coach. you know, see what happens. But you can't, as you said, you can't have your main guy only playing 50 regular season games and then injured again in the playoffs. It's just, yeah, it's just not feasible.
00:53:46
Speaker
Yeah, like he's the kind of like, so when you're a team like the Grizzlies and you're a superstar, obviously Jarrion Morante is their superstar and he can't stay in the court. Like you're you're pretty screwed then really because like all your money is really on him. You're kind of, joe you have Jarrion Jackson Jr. who is unreal as well with us.
00:54:01
Speaker
it's kind like everything is built for Jammerant to be on the court and they can't keep him there. Whereas like if Jammerant was like a second superstar to a Steph or to a Jimmy or something where, oh, if he misses 28th of the season, we have people can step in and kind of cover him to the same, almost the same level he's at. Obviously not to his level because I think he But then you still need him there for the playoffs. Yeah, exactly. And he, yeah.
00:54:23
Speaker
That's the issue there. I just don't see who who takes him, who wants him. like How can anybody want him? like I can't think of any team. I've gone through thought of every team.
00:54:35
Speaker
Some of the things, I heard a couple of things about Lamello and the Hornets. The Hornets aren't going to do that. know The Nets probably won't even take him on. i don't I actually don't know. I really don't know.
00:54:46
Speaker
And I couldn't even give a suggestion because I thought of through a lot and I don't know. But they need to do what they can. because I don't think it's working with him. I think they need to move on from it. Yeah, because I was thinking, like, in a wild world, could he end up with the Rockets?
00:55:00
Speaker
Because the Rockets need a shooter. And then I was like, the Rockets seem to have such good... not a great shooter either, though. No, no it's exactly. And the Rockets seem have such good chemistry that bringing in someone like him is not going to That's why, he like, a Devin Booker who just seems sound.
00:55:14
Speaker
Bring him in and it would just work. Kevin Durant, maybe, who... He's a diva as well. but that or he Yeah, exactly. post like you you're not like They're not taking on Jamerant in a million years, the Rockets aren't.
00:55:25
Speaker
No, I don't think so. Even with the Doka. They're so stupid. Mavs, yeah. God, imagine. that'll be yeah That would be a bit nuts actually seeing him over there. Him, Davison, Kyrie, all them just injured all season. Klay Thompson, your main guy. Yeah.
00:55:40
Speaker
That would be disgusting to watch. But yeah, the Grizzlies, we they're one we touched on a good bit over the last few weeks with some of the coach getting fired and Jenkins getting fired and stuff like that. But let's move on to the Heat then.
00:55:53
Speaker
I'll go first on this. yeah i think they might lose 4-0. They might grab one game. might be 4-1. But they'll be just fine. like They're the Heat.
00:56:04
Speaker
They know how to do this. I think they've got a first rounder in the next six years, so they're stacked with draft capitals. yeah I think Wiggins is a movable piece if they want to move off him. They're not going to get a whole lot, but they can free up a bit of contract space. and I think there will be a team that will take him. He's not like so an undesirable player.
00:56:22
Speaker
They can get out of Duncan Robinson contract this year if they did want to do that. That's another 20 million freed up. I think they do need to tie down Davian Mitchell because what he did for them And in game two, I think it was, and down the stretch, it just shows a new idea that Spolstra had um and what he's kind of built around a young guy like him that he can, you know, drive a lot all game until the other defense is worn down.
00:56:48
Speaker
That makes sense. Keep him, tie him down, keep Jaime Hakkas, Khalil Ware, and then you've got Hero and Bam. And, you know, I think all Spolstra needs is one star.
00:56:59
Speaker
If you can get him one star on top of that or one, like, solid, like top 15 player in the league with all that, then there's no reason why they couldn't contend for a championship because they're just the Heat. like Yes, and I think the biggest issue for the Heat this year was that they really weren't player early.
00:57:16
Speaker
So they got in via the play-in. Their record was 37-45. That's not a record that you're going to be fully confident going into a playoff series against the second-best team in the whole league. They were never going to able to lay a glove on them.
00:57:29
Speaker
I'm the same as you know. I think they're building something good over there. As you said about all the draft picks they have, they have Tyler Hero, who was just keeps getting better and better every year. If you can just get in someone beside him that can just do it all, then...
00:57:43
Speaker
Maybe in the next three to five years, they'd definitely be pushing. But it won't be next year, I don't think. I think Durant could be a good run for them. yeah yeah That would make sense. And it looks like they dodged a bullet.
00:57:55
Speaker
You know, you don't like to see players getting injured, but with the way Damien Lillard's career has gone since he went to the books, it looks like they dodged a bullet by not getting him there at that time. Because God knows, I know things might have panned out differently, but he's been very injury prone since he moved to the books and he just tore his Achilles last night. So it's really bad for him.
00:58:13
Speaker
Yeah, he did. didn't see that. It's just been confirmed there. So... Yeah, it didn't look good last night. And that's another thing. The Bucs, I thought that team chemistry is in the gutter as well because he's down after seriously injuring himself. One player comes over after like a minute, helps him up and walks away and nobody else comes near him.
00:58:29
Speaker
You're like, come on, he's one of your stars. He can't even help off the floor. But yeah, I think they dodged a bullet with that one and maybe they might get a good start that works for them. Even a Devin Booker would work for them a lot too if they went down that route. Yeah, I know the Rockets, you want them, but it would it would be one that works.
00:58:46
Speaker
So... Yeah, I'm not worried about the Heat. there I think they're they're going to be okay. Yeah, I'm the same as you. like but My main point around them was that they just weren't playoff ready this year. They could be in completely different place in 12 months time, but they they could be pushing the Cavs to a seven-game series instead of just kind of whimpering out 4-0.
00:59:05
Speaker
But, yeah, as as you said, I think they're theyre going to be absolutely fine. There's no issue with them. Yeah, and I think but how little Spolstra had, he's done as much as he could. Absolutely, Even not just winning a game. But, yeah.
00:59:15
Speaker
Yeah. Then the last one is the Magic. So they're against the Celtics. It's 3-1 after last night. yes So what do you make of them? I think they're just, they're pitiful. They're really, really hard to watch. times they're they're They're so slow. Everything to do is so slow. Everything goes to Banchero. And if he's not doing it, no one else is really doing it for him.
00:59:36
Speaker
I think, I just think they're rubbish, um to be perfectly honest. I think they're a long way away from... Championship level. you You can have a go now. Oh my God.
00:59:47
Speaker
Okay. I can't get behind that one because they have like two of the best young stars in the league. Like Paolo in this playoffs has been so impressive for me. He's the only one though.
00:59:59
Speaker
Yeah, but Franza's been better, 26 points per game, although his shooting from three is abysmal. He's on 21%. But anything inside the arc, he's a good finisher. He was good last night. I thought they should have won that game. And yeah, like I think they kind of deserved it for their overall performance. But Celtics just put them to bed in the last two minutes when they needed to.
01:00:19
Speaker
and But Paolo, like 32 points per game so far, nearly nine rebounds per game. He's like, you don't like to say it because he's never going to reach the heights of LeBron, but he has some of the attributes of LeBron and some of the passing for the size of his body. and And he's been a good shooter as well, shooting 47% from three.
01:00:39
Speaker
And he does it on the def defense the defensive side as well. But like that those rebounding numbers are huge for a guy who's been like their star on offense. I do think that they are pieces away, but I think...
01:00:53
Speaker
This series has kind of made me feel a little bit better about them because, as you said, they are really hard to watch. But that but that's that's the way they play. They play slowly.
01:01:04
Speaker
Like in the league, they they play slowly during the regular season. In the playoffs, it doesn't hinder you to play slow. If you limit the other team to less points, they just need someone then who can go and score a little bit more for them.
01:01:16
Speaker
I think that's their main issue. And it's very brave. It's very ballsy of them. to stick with that tactic that they have of going man to man. And like, they don't help even against the Celtics. They don't help.
01:01:28
Speaker
And that limits the Celtics trees, which is what they're good at. But you might get posted up by Tatum 10 times in a row and you might want to help, but they still kind of hold back on it. And I have to acknowledge them for that because defensively they're brilliant. But for me, they need a real three point shooter. That's not,
01:01:44
Speaker
KCP, he needs to go. And then they need a point guard who can actually playmake and free up Paulo and Franz to make a little bit more cutting, space the floor a bit with with the three-point shooter and have a point guard who can actually handle the ball and free up those guys a little bit more.
01:02:00
Speaker
Yeah, look and I have written down here as well that Casey Peash cannot be a starting guard in the playoff series for any team. like keeps he's I'm not saying he's a bad player. He's had a good career, decent career, both.
01:02:12
Speaker
like if you if If he's your seventh man, your eighth man, absolutely fine, no bother with us. But when he's in your starting five in a playoff series against Boston Celtics, you're in trouble from the stars. Banchero is incredible. He really is incredible.
01:02:26
Speaker
Sorry, i was just so I was just looking up how much he's paid at just end. 20 million a year like for that for yeah that's Sorry, let's go back to Paolo. Paolo is incredible. He has been incredible throughout. And Braden's has been good as well. bo The other three that starting with him, they're giving him nothing. Literally giving him nothing.
01:02:47
Speaker
And it it's really hard to win a series with two people. Like we were saying last week about Kyle Kuzma being an issue for the box as well. Because he's not adding anything for anyone. And now they've lost it as well. They're obviously going out too. We could nearly ever go with them as well, but we'll wait for next week for that. But I just think if you don't have a starting five that are all pulling into one direction, then you really are struggling. And saw that with the Rockets the other night with how bad some of the starting five are and just how much it costs them in the game then as well. You need everyone kind of... You need everyone hitting a seven out of ten in every game of playoffs.
01:03:23
Speaker
Yeah, I agree. I think if... If, if like, you know, for them, if Jalen Suggs was fit, he might give a bit more with the three point shooting, but that is something that does need work for him too.
01:03:34
Speaker
So if he can improve on that and he keeps, he's one of the best defenders in the league, if he can stay fit and he improves his shooting, that's kind of one of those problems sorted.
01:03:45
Speaker
And if they just, they just really need a point guard. It's such a glaring, obvious thing. Like, uh, It's just so, they've had so many different experiences. Like, even had a Markel Fulst days there where they tried that out for a while. Cole Anthony was starting for a while. Like, yeah, they need a point guard. That's the glaring thing. But I've been impressed with them, to be honest. Even though they are going to probably lose this 4-1, I thought that they did quite well.
01:04:07
Speaker
And I think they're not too far away. I would put, in order of how positive I am about the teams that we talked about, I would honestly put them first, then the Heat, then the Grizzlies.
01:04:20
Speaker
And I don't know if I would have said that a few weeks ago, I would have had the heat always in my mind. It's like, no matter what, it's going to be fine. But I think I liked, I like some of the things that the magic did, but. Yeah, I think maybe yeah maybe time will tell with that one and what they do in this in the offseason is going to be pretty big.
01:04:37
Speaker
Yeah, so I think it's a massive summer for them. If they can get it right this summer and they can make me eat my words, then absolutely fair play, fire away. But just have to wait and see. you like To be honest, I haven't watched enough of them because, as I said, I don't like watching them.
01:04:51
Speaker
I think I only watched the first game in this series, the whole match. I watched the highlights back, obviously, except last night because I was busy last night.
NBA Team Rankings Discussion
01:04:58
Speaker
Yeah. Yeah, I'll leave you off for last night. That was probably their best performance.
01:05:03
Speaker
Yeah, fair enough. I'll have to watch the whole thing this evening and make some notes for next week. Other than that, yeah, I kind of agree you there. I think for me, the Heat are the number one. I would have the Magic above the Grizzlies because I think the Grizzlies are just going nowhere and they're going nowhere very, very fast.
01:05:18
Speaker
yeah So I'd have the Magic in second as well. I think there is potential there. i'm just I'm just not seeing it at the moment. Yeah, no, fair enough. So that's our three, the three teams that we think are definitely, you know, they're dead and buried. I think the books are dead and buried too. But as you said, you know, we'll probably talk about them another time because we did think, you know, they would be a little bit more competitive.
01:05:40
Speaker
Yeah.
Power Rankings Update
01:05:41
Speaker
Yeah, let's move on then to the power rankings. I think I went first last week, so i'll let you I'll let you go ahead. Perfect. So last week I had the Thunder at one, Liverpool at Celtics were three, Wolves four, Rockets five and Villa were in sixth.
01:05:56
Speaker
um You'll be shocked to know that there's been a change at the top of rankings. Liverpool have stopped the way in there. i don't know what to do to the servers, but they're back on top. There's like a very little to add to what we said already from the tournament at the top. So I'm just not really going kind of add that. And they're just they're just the best team in sport at the moment, really. Bear the Thunder, who are in second for me.
01:06:18
Speaker
And they've absolutely just walked their way through that series. Like it was just so easy for them back to finish. No sign of nervous. They're just going to be some team and they're going to really, really hard to stop. Wolves have jumped from four up to three for me, so they now six wins in a row, which is outrageous.
01:06:35
Speaker
They're the only team in England who have won six in a row a season. and they I think they have the best form in Europe at the moment. which is mad when you think about it. like So they're in a three for me. Wolves, sorry. Yeah, they've meant City next weekend, which is huge for We'll see that one goes now. That would be a real test for them.
Timberwolves and Celtics' Praise
01:06:52
Speaker
The Timberwolves then, because I love sticking with the Wolves. They're three went up in their series. They're just bullying the Lakers.
01:06:58
Speaker
and They deserve to be in there. Then I have the Celtics, also three went up. They're just do this good. Good to watch. Good from three. They're good with what they're doing. Jason is kind of hitting his playoff now as already. Yeah, he's been very repressive.
01:07:12
Speaker
And then I have Palace in at sixth. So they've gone into the Africa Cup final. I thought they were superb against Aston Villa. They've completely played United Emery off the park. Ezio Gallo was unreal.
01:07:23
Speaker
They're just, they're really good. Like, yeah. Yeah, they were really good. So it's Liverpool, Thunder, Wolves, Timberwolves, Celtics and Palace.
Personal Power Rankings
01:07:31
Speaker
Nice. So I've got some similar teams to you.
01:07:34
Speaker
My last week was Thunder, Arsenal, Cavs, Celtics, Villa and Newcastle. So this week I've gone with Liverpool back in on top. They won the Premier League. so And that performance was mighty powerful. So they deserve to be back on top because they've won the league. So...
01:07:53
Speaker
Not much more to say other than that, you know, we already went through it earlier. OKC still second. We've rented a bit for long enough. They're still second for me. Cavs are still third for me.
01:08:04
Speaker
I think they've they've been really impressive what they did. The Heat gave them a tough time in game two. And then in game three, they just came out and washed them. Yeah. And I think, yeah, they're just very, very impressive after the season they've had all year.
01:08:16
Speaker
I've moved Arsenal down to fourth. They didn't play on the weekend, so and they just moved down because Liverpool moved in at first. But yeah, excellent, as I said, in the Champions League. So let's see.
01:08:27
Speaker
This will be coming out after the Champions League game against PSG. So i wonder... How they'll get on there will be a massive one, but they're in fourth for now as things stand. Then I've also added in the Timberwolves, the same as you.
01:08:38
Speaker
So impressive. Anthony Edwards, unbelievable. Julius Randle playing like he has a chip on his shoulder. Been very impressive. and Putting in a lot of effort on defense too. and But Anthony Edwards, it's something else last night. that ah So good to watch.
01:08:50
Speaker
Such a good game. And then I've added in Wolves as well, the same as you in sixth. They've just been really solid. And another great win. Another really good performance. Cunha was brilliant. And... Yeah, I thought they did they really deserve the position now because as you said, they're in really hot form. So that's it.
Conclusion and Social Media Call to Action
01:09:08
Speaker
That's all we have for this week, lads. So hopefully you enjoyed the episode. Give it a like, give a subscribe on YouTube and wherever you're listening, give us a follow and get onto our social media because we've got lots of clips and stuff of some of the best bits during the week and posts of the power rankings and some other stuff we throw out there from time to time. So Shane, throw it to you to end it.
01:09:31
Speaker
Thanks very much, living for the champions. Good to see you next week. Let's go, Club.